The general meaning is: It is dangerous to plunge into litigation. At all times, there is the risk of failure, and, if we fail, of being at the mer…

When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. —Proved you to be in the wrong, and won his case against you.

Go not forth hastily to strive To go to law with a neighbour; think well of it beforehand; consider the nature of the cause, whethe…

To be hasty in beginning strife will bring difficulties. War must eventually end, and is better prevented. The same is true in private quarrels; do…